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You’ve just gotten engaged, and now it's time to plan your wedding. Congratulations! Welcome to what might be the most stressful group project of your life. With skyrocketing costs, family dynamics, and social media feeds persuading you that extravagant six-figure weddings are the norm, it might be tempting to bury your head in the sand. Instead, let me introduce the much less stressful engagement party! Whether it's a cozy backyard BBQ with friends or a grand celebration, an engagement party is an ideal way to test you and your fiancé's event-planning skills together. And for that, you'll need an engagement party dress or outfit.

In recent years, wearing white to every pre-wedding event has become the must-have look for future brides (and in the ever-expanding bridal universe, these events are endless). For inspiration, look to creator Helen Owen, whose recent French wedding was preceded by a non-stop, live-vlogged wedding week in London, where she wore white for every occasion.

I found this exact set for you… it’s from LA brand Nana Jacqueline. (Photo: Helen Owen / Instagram.)

While you certainly don’t have to host an engagement party — and if you do, you definitely don’t need to wear white — that’s not why you’re here. You’re here to find the perfect engagement party dress (or set, or suit), and as a recently engaged woman myself, I thought I’d turn my own research into content for you.

Introducing: the best engagement party dresses currently available for every type of bride, body, and budget.

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Manning Cartell ‘Double Pleat Time Dress’

Pure romance. (Photo: Manning Cartell / Instagram.)

This pleated dress with a sweetheart neckline from Manning Cartell has captivated me ever since I saw it in the store. The corset top and subtle leg split lend it a romantic, ultra-stylish vibe while still remaining ‘family function appropriate’.

Buy it: for $699 from manningcartell.com.au

Runner up: the Supreme Extreme Balconette Dress

Christopher Esber ‘Veiled Tulle Overlay Gown’

Model Jess Hunt wore this exact dress to Cannes, so you know it has fashion cred. (Photo: Jess Hunt / Instagram.)

Christopher Esber remains one of our coolest fashion exports (having made its international debut at Paris Fashion Week A/W 2023). The designer's entrance into bridal fashion is set to make it the go-to choice for chic brides everywhere. However, if you're leaning towards a more traditional wedding dress, the engagement party offers a chance to wear something bridal with a bit of edge. My pick? The veiled tulle overlay gown — its maxi length and long sleeves contrast beautifully with the sheer tulle across the torso. If there's ever a time to opt for tulle, it's during your bridal era.

Buy it: for $2,150 from christopheresber.com.au

Runner up: the Ripple Drape Gown

Maggie Marilyn ‘Dress That All The Bad Boys Like’

The heart!!! (Photos: Keryn Sweeney via Maggie Marilyn / Instagram.)

I've been infatuated with Maggie Marilyn's ‘Dress That All The Bad Boys Like‘ ever since its debut at Australian Fashion Week 2023 — and it's finally being restocked. The mini hemline with the heart cut-out on the back delivers a flirty, romantic vibe with a touch of edge, making it perfect for a second wedding dress or engagement party ensemble. Or both! The label is B-corp certified, so Maggie herself would approve of a re-wear.

Pre-order it: for $895 from maggiemarilyn.com.

Runner up: the You Win Again dress

City Chic ‘Elyse Dress’

The sleeves!!! (Photo: City Chic.)

The Iconic’s Curve range might be somewhat limited in the white section, but I did find this utterly chic dress featuring voluminous sleeves, an elegant ankle length, and a size range of 12-24 that comes in at just under $200 (and I do mean *just*).

Buy it: for $199.95 from theiconic.com.au.

Runner up: this off-the-shoulder top (pair it with fitted white pants for the full look)

Maison Essentiele ‘Scoop Neck Maxi’

Obsessed with the lace look, for the daring engaged girlies. (Photo: Maison Essentiele)

Maison Essentiele is the ultimate Sydney cool-girl brand. If you've spotted a fashionista strutting through Paddington in lace pants and an oversized shirt, they're probably wearing Maison Essentiele. This scoop neck lace dress, paired with silk pants and a delicate white bra, is the ultimate engagement party outfit for the daring among us (a.k.a. anyone who’s had Camille Charriere‘s wedding dress pinned on their Pinterest board for years). Just maybe give grandma a heads-up before you arrive at the party.

Buy it: for $325 on maisonessentiele.com

Runner up: the Buckle Mini Dress

Tamara Malas ‘Lola Set’

OBSESSED is an understatement. (Photo: Abby Bible / Instagram.)

In researching this article, I stumbled upon Abby Bible — an incredible NYC-based plus-sized content creator in her bridal era — in a cream-colored two-piece set that caught my eye. After some digging, I discovered the brand she’s wearing: Tamara Malas, a label founded in 2018 with the ~radical~ idea that fashion should “actually be for everyone”. They produce fashion-forward apparel with sizes ranging from small to 6x large, and in even better news, they ship to Australia. Aussie women, take note.

Buy it: for USD $438 from tamaramalas.com

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Rebecca Valance ‘Freyja Mini Dress’

The gold detailing is what makes this a winner for me. (Photo: Rebecca Valance.)

Another must-visit store for event shopping, Rebecca Valance has taken the Australian fashion scene (and international one) by storm. While you could easily choose a more formal dress here (e.g., rehearsal dinner, second wedding look, or your wedding dress itself), the newly released Freyja Mini Dress in the brand’s signature crepe is perfect for an elegant but not over-the-top look.

Buy it: for $649 at rebeccavalance.com

Runner up: this strapless vest and pant combo.

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Shona Joy ‘Moraya Dropped Waist Maxi Dress’

So elegant, it could almost double as a wedding dress. (Photo: Lissy Graham via Shona Joy / Instagram.)

Anyone who’s been involved in a wedding recently will know Shona Joy (extra points if you’ve been a bridesmaid). The fashion brand excels at event dressing time and again, with something for every type of future bride. Seeking something elegant yet trendy? Opt for this dropped waist maxi dress (seen above on Lissy Graham) with a semi-sheer skirt. Looking for something edgier? The ruffle high neck mini dress might be more your style. And if you want something that truly shines with flash photography, this long sleeve mini dress with beading has your name on it.

Buy it: from shonajoy.com.au

(No runners up, I’ve already given you three options!)

Fayt The Label ‘Ismae Maxi Dress’

Never get between a woman and her dress with pockets. (Photo: Fayt. the label.)

I adore Fayt. the label and founder Brittney Saunders‘ dedication to true size diversity, so I was thrilled to see they offer plenty of engagement party options. This maxi dress is perfect for a summer garden party-style engagement or a casual backyard BBQ gathering. The rave reviews online (example: “looks stunning on and is super flattering”) speak louder than anything I could write here, but if I could add one more thing: it has pockets.

Buy it for $139 from faytthelabel.com

Runner up: the Zaren Mini Dress

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Hanne Bloch ‘White Silk Set’

The dress that stopped me in my scroll. (Photos: Tsutsumi Hoang and Danielle Copperman Sersoub / Instagram.

I went down an Instagram rabbit hole to find this dress, which turns out to be a two-piece silk set from Copenhagen brand Hanne Bloch. The label was launched by former Missoni designer Hanne Bloch, who now runs it with her daughter, Olivia. This two-piece set is made entirely of silk and finished with genuine silver-plated details, so it doesn’t come cheap. But if you’re in the mood to splurge on your engagement party (or perhaps a wedding recovery day look?), then good news: they ship to Australia.

Buy it for $1,980 from hanne-block.com

Runner up: this delicate silk string top (pair it with a skirt or tailored pants, duh)